The penny gets a big boost to fight AIDS in Africa

Exhibit at both national conventions conveys extent of pandemic, offers simple way to help

August 22, 2008, MENLO PARK, CA — Change for a Penny, Inc. will display over six million pennies during the Democratic and Republican National Conventions in August and September, respectively. This will be done in partnership with global humanitarian agency World Vision and the ONE Campaign.

Delegates and politicians from both parties are invited to view the display, representing the number of lives lost in sub-Saharan Africa to AIDS since 2004. The pennies will be displayed during the assembly of Caregiver Kits.

World Vision’s Caregiver Kits are briefcase-sized kits containing basic healthcare supplies such as washcloths, antifungal creme, latex gloves, soap and acetaminophen. These kits are shipped overseas to AIDS-affected communities, where trained volunteers care for ill people. The purpose of caregivers and their kits is to improve the quality of life of those living with HIV and AIDS.

Lil Johnson, president of Change For A Penny, describes the significance of the penny display; “Numbers and statistics can be staggering and paralyzing in times of crisis. We want to invite people to help one person affected by HIV at a time. Alongside ONE and World Vision we emphasize the value of each life lost to the pandemic as well as each person’s opportunity to do something to help.”
“Change for a Penny's visual display illustrates the significance of each life lost every day due to AIDS. World Vision is pleased to partner with them as we encourage participants to take action and give to efforts addressing children impacted by AIDS and extreme poverty,” explained Mr. Dana Buck, World Vision’s director of corporate partnerships.

Change For A Penny, World Vision and ONE are working to inspire delegates, politicians and volunteers at both parties’ Conventions to take action against global AIDS and emphasize the impact each person can have to change the tide of the pandemic.

About Change For a Penny
Since 2005, Change For A Penny has mobilized community groups, schools, religious groups and companies in the Bay Area through penny drives for education and advocacy. To date, over four million pennies have been donated and displayed. With support from Brinks-Denver, Brinks-Minneapolis, and Ryan Transportation, 6.1 million pennies will be displayed at both Conventions.

About World Vision
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.

About The ONE Campaign
ONE is a campaign of over 2.4 million people and growing from all 50 states and over 100 of America's most well-known and respected non-profit, advocacy and humanitarian organizations. ONE raises public awareness about the issues of global poverty, hunger, disease and efforts to fight such problems in the world's poorest countries.

Who Is World Vision?

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice..